Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic HR Director to join our fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business. The successful candidate will lead the HR function, shaping people strategy and delivering best-practice HR services across talent acquisition, performance, reward, employee relations and organisational development. This role requires strong commercial acumen, broad HR expertise, and the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders to drive business performance and a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the HR strategy aligned to overall business objectives, ensuring people initiatives support growth, productivity and culture.

• Lead end-to-end talent attraction and recruitment for senior and operational roles, working closely with hiring managers to secure high-quality hires.

• Design and manage performance management processes, talent reviews and succession planning to build leadership capability and retain key talent.

• Oversee total reward and benefits programmes, including pay reviews, incentive schemes and benchmarking to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity.

• Provide pragmatic employee relations guidance, manage complex casework, investigations and disciplinaries in line with policy and employment law.

• Lead learning and development initiatives, building capability through structured programmes, on-the-job development and coaching for managers.

• Drive organisational design and change management projects to support new ways of working, efficiency and business transformation.

• Ensure HR policies, processes and HR systems (HRIS) are maintained, compliant and deliver efficient service to the business.

• Manage HR metrics and reporting (turnover, engagement, time-to-hire, absence, diversity KPIs), presenting insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

• Lead, mentor and develop a small HR team, fostering a collaborative, customer-focused culture and ensuring high-quality HR service delivery across sites.

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on people risks, culture, employee engagement and workforce planning.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Chartered or accredited HR qualification (CIPD level 7 or equivalent) or significant demonstrable experience in senior HR roles.

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in HR, with at least 3 years in a strategic HR leadership role, preferably within FMCG, manufacturing or retail.

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice; experience operating across multi-site environments desirable.

• Proven track record in talent management, performance frameworks, reward design and change leadership.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience advising senior executives and shaping strategic decision-making.

• Strong analytical skills with experience using HR data and dashboards to inform business decisions (Excel and HRIS familiarity preferred).

• Exceptional communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrable ability to lead and develop teams, with a collaborative and coaching approach.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience of working in fast-paced FMCG or manufacturing environments with shift-based workforces.

• Experience implementing HRIS, payroll or talent management systems and improving HR processes.

• Experience of driving diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and embedding inclusive practices across the employee lifecycle.

• Resilient, pragmatic and commercially minded with a hands-on approach to problem solving.

Why Join Us?

Join a collaborative and ambitious FMCG business where people are central to our success. We offer a supportive culture, opportunities for professional development and the chance to lead impactful people initiatives across the organisation. Competitive salary and benefits will be discussed at interview.

Application Process

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Please submit a CV outlining your relevant experience and a brief cover letter highlighting your strategic HR achievements. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. We are committed to an inclusive and fair recruitment process.